Welcome to Our Website

Welcome to the Lake Quassapaug Association website. The mission of the lake association is to preserve the lake’s high water quality and promote responsible enjoyment of the lake.

GIVE LOCAL CAMPAIGN RAISES NEARLY $50,000Thanks to our many generous donors and the wonderful gift from the Salem Fund at the Connecticut Community Foundation, LQA raised nearly $50,000 through this year’s Give Local Campaign. Special thanks to our Lake Lovers who gave $1000 or more:

NEWS AND EVENTS

Our new suction harvesting crew from Pristine Co. started harvesting in mid-May. The crew will spend 8 weeks at Lake Quassapaug during May and August – September.

Based on the excellent results in 2017, our plans for milfoil harvesting in 2018 include:

Identifying and eradicating any milfoil around the main part of the lake. Keeping the main part of the lake clear continues to be LQA’s highest priority.

Eradicating any Eurasian milfoil plants in the lake. Eurasian milfoil is a very aggressive invasive weed.

Suction harvesting all areas harvested over the past three years and further widening the channel in Tylers Cove,

The boom across the southern end of Big Cove has been reinstalled this spring and will help reduce the migration of milfoil fragments into the main part of the lake. Suction harvesting 2-3 acres of dense milfoil to the north of the boom in Big Cove is planned for 2018.

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR INVASIVE WEED CONTROL

George Knoecklein, our Northeast Aquatic Resource (NEAR) consultant, surveyed the lake in September and noted that Lake Quassapaug is one of the few lakes in CT where invasive milfoil is being effectively controlled without chemicals through the use of suction harvesting. His report states, “In general the DASH efforts to remove Variable milfoil were very apparent. The Tyler Cove arm had a widened and extended channel that was largely free of milfoil. Prior to 2017, the very northern part of this cove was entirely covered with the invasive species. Long Cove had a very similar new channel and the survey boat was able to reach 500’ farther into the cove in 2017. Overall Variable milfoil has had a steadily decreasing % occurrence since 2013.”

Equally important Dr. Knoecklein found only one Eurasian milfoil plant outside of Tylers Cove whereas in the past numerous plants were found in Dam and Middle Coves as well. More Eurasian milfoil was found in Tylers Cove because the divers began their work in May before the water lilies covered them.The suction harvesting crew from A&E Diving Services arrived in the cold month of May. With special diving suits that are warmed with 120 degree water, the crew cleared small amounts of milfoil around the main part of the lake. Channels in both Dam Cove and Tylers Cove were checked with any regrowth harvested. The amount of regrowth was significantly less than in 2016. An additional acre in Tylers Cove was also harvested for the first time this year. Read the full Northeast Aquatic Research report under Publications.

​WATER QUALITY AND CLARITY ARE EXCELLENT

The water quality and clarity of the lake continue to be excellent. As noted in the NEAR report, “phosphorus levels at all top and upper-middle levels of the lake were below 10ppb which is low and good. The respective excellent water clarity Secchi readings in June and August are a direct result of the low phosphorus count.” All readings are taken by our Weed Team members: Matt Holloway, Paul Anderson and George Nybakken.In 2017 LQA also began a more extensive sampling of storm water inflows to the lake for phosphorus and nitrogen to ensure that the concentration of these nutrients flowing into the lake is not too high. A high concentration will encourage more weed growth. The samples from the heads of Tylers and Big Cove showed low concentrations, but others around the lake were very high. We will continue the sampling in 2018 with assistance from NEAR and then determine the best remedial actions with help from residents and organizations around the lake.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDAs a volunteer organization we welcome assistance from all who are interested in preserving Lake Quassapaug. Join dedicated volunteers in tasks such as gathering water samples, working with our consultants, communicating with our members or other involvement that meets your interests. Please send us an email on the Contact page of this website or contact any of our Directors directly.